Call to Order – Chairman White called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Board members present were J. B. White, Robert Harris, Wesley Keber, Harvey Norris, & Burt Jones; representing Haisten & Johnston was Rae Johnston. Guests included Butts County Commissioners Keith Douglas and Mike Patterson and new Industrial Authority Executive Director Laura Hale. Authority staff members present were Marcie Seleb & Joyce Hosey.
Opening Prayer – Mr. Norris opened the meeting with a prayer.
Approval of Minutes from Previous Meeting – Mr. Harris made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the December 13, 2011 meeting and approve the same. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously.
Presentation of Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 Audit – Rae Johnston gave a brief overview of the Financial Statements for FY 2011. She summarized the Authority’s financial situation by stating that the Authority had remained stable during the year despite a floundering economy. Ms. Johnston excused herself from the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
A motion was made by Mr. Norris to accept the audit as it is written. This was seconded by Mr. Jones and approved unanimously.
A copy of the FY 2011 Audit is attached and made a part of these minutes.
Manager’s Report
Update on Construction Projects and Grants
Hwy. 16 Sewer – Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) inspectors have temporarily stopped sewer installation on the west side of I-75. OSHA requires a different shoring method for the deep trench required.
The Great American Travel Center still has not provided the bond and agreement needed to draw funds on the Employment Incentive Program (EIP) grant portion of the project. The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) will allow the County/Authority to post the bond if requested although Great American Travel Center must still execute the project agreement. United Bank has offered to issue a letter of credit to the Authority for the project for .25% of the issue plus a $155 documentation fee.
Butts County has received a letter from DCA which detailed concerns about slow progress on the EIP portion of the project. A copy of this letter is attached and made a part of these minutes.
Jones General Contracting will be billing the Authority for pumps and generators. These items are in the EIP portion of the project, which cannot yet be drawn upon, but the contractor is not able to hold off any longer on delivery.
A special meeting is scheduled on Monday, January 23, 2012 with the Butts County Board of Commissioners, Butts County Development Authority, Butts County Community Services Department staff and the Authority to discuss this project and other economic development issues.
Hwy. 36 Sewer – The Contractor has completed all line work with only testing and cleanup left to do.
Burford Ground Storage Tank Rehabilitation – The rehabilitation project is set to begin on January 23, 2012 and should be finished within 45 days.
Crew – The Authority’s crew has been working on the sewer force main on the west side of I-75, setting manholes. This is part of the local match required on the EIP and OneGeorgia grants. The crew also continues to repair service lines and mains as needed, flushing dead end lines, assisting with LAS maintenance & haying, and equipment repair & maintenance. Ms. Seleb is working on Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority environmental requirements for the meter replacement project. The crew is ready to start the water main extension on Singley Road, but easements are still being acquired for Seven Lakes Hangars.
Operations Report – Water billing for December was up 9% from November at $196,434, and up 8% from December 2010 with a total customer base of 5,250 and an active customer base of 4,645. Sewer billing for December 2011 was up 33% from November at $32,639, and up 27% from December 2010 with a total customer base of 129 and an active customer base of 122.
The average daily finished water pumped in December 2011 to the Authority, Jackson and Jenkinsburg from the Burford and Stewart plants was 1.9 MGD, with a maximum of 2.1 MGD. The rolling 12-month average loss was 11.9% with the current monthly average loss of 15.2%. The total amount of finished water pumped in December 2011 per plant was: Burford – 55 MG; Stewart – 6 MG. The average wastewater influent at the Bucksnort Ranch LAS was .195 with an average daily effluent of .205/.550 MGD and a maximum 7-day effluent of .337/.550 MGD.
Governor’s Water Supply Program – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that the new Governor’s Water Support Program will be making $300,000,000 available for projects over a four-year period. Available this year will be $60 – $70,000,000 in loans and $50,000,000 in grants. This is being made available for reservoir construction or expansion, wells, re-use and desalination. She suggested that the Authority may want to apply for funding for wells.
Consider Sewer Service to Existing Property on Windy Lane – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that Sammy Simmons would be willing to give a sewer easement for the planned Patillo industrial project on Glade Road and Windy Lane if his two existing homes along the easement route could tie onto sewer. According to Authority policy, sewer is only allowed for residential properties in the Planned Residential zone.
After discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Harris that this sewer line be preferably run along the right of way of Windy Lane rather than across Mr. Simmons property. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously.
Sewer Study – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that Rindt McDuff continues to prepare the sewer study, with presentation at February Board Meeting.
Water Model – Ms. Seleb advised the Board that Woodward and Curren are almost finished with the report and should have a presentation ready for February Board Meeting.
Financial Report – Ms. Seleb went over the financial summary for Water & Sewer Operations and SPLOST through December 2011. Finances are within budget thus far for FY 2012. Copies of these financial summaries are attached and made a part of these minutes.
Review Bills Paid – Board members reviewed check registers and credit card statements for the month of December 2011. Copies of these check registers and credit card statements are attached and made a part of these minutes.
Adjourn – A motion was made by Mr. Norris to adjourn meeting at 8:00 p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Jones and approved unanimously.